Bottle washing machine



' Dec. 17, 1935. LADEWIG ET AL 2,024,373

BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Original Filed March 50, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Dec.17, 1935. A. E. LADIVEWIG El AL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE OriginalFiled March 30, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 17, 1935. A. E. LADEWlG El AL2,024,373

BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Original Filed March 50, 1927 Sheets-Sheet. 3

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BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Original Filed March 30, 1927Cil Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFic BOTTLE WASHINGMACHINE Original application March 30, 1927', Serial No.

179,424. Divided and ary 4, 1929, Serial No.

this application Febru- 337,313

13 Claims. (01. 141-7) The present invention relates in general toimprovements in bottle cleansing machinery, and relates morespecifically to improvements in the construction and operation ofmachines for automatically washing and rinsing milk bottles or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and compactbottle washer wherein thorough cleansing of the bottles is assured, byautomatically subjecting the bottles admitted to the machine to severalwashing and rinsing cycles before final discharge thereof. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for introducingthe bottles into a washing machine. A further object of the invention isto provide improved mechanism for transporting a series of bottlesthrough a washing machine or the like. Still another object of theinvention is to provide improved mechanism for delivering the cleanbottles from a washing machine. A further object of the invention is toprovide improved means for initially rinsing, subsequently washing andfinally draining the liquid an automatic washer. Another object of theinvention is to provide improved automatic. stop mechanism for bottlewashing machines, whereby damage to the mechanism is avoided in case anabnormal condition arises. These and other objects of the invention willbe apparent from the following description.

The present application is a division of application Serial No. 179,424filed March 30, 1927, and some of the novel features disclosed but notspecifically claimed herein, form the subject matter of said applicationor of another divisional application Serial No. 337,312, filed Februrary4, 1929, now Patent No. 1,906,974, granted May 2, 1933.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of theoperation of a machine constructed in accordance with the improvement,may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a partof this specification in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an improved milk bottle washing andrinsing machine with a modified driving mechanism for automaticallytransporting the admitted bottles through the washing and rinsing cycletwice before delivering them from the machine. Fig. 2 is a partlyassembled front elevation from the bottles treated in.

of the improved milk bottle washer, with a portion of the front casingbroken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of one of the transversebottle carrier frames.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front view 5 of the carrier frame.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the inlet anddischarge end of the improved milk bottle washer having a portionthereof broken away.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the bottle supply and discharge mechanismshowing the same in a different position of adjustment from that shownin Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the improved bottleinfeed slide.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side View of one of the bottle carrier pocketsshowing the same positioned for the reception of a bottle from theinfeed slide of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken through the rear end of the maincasing, showing the details of construction of the carrier adjustingguide or takeup.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View through the main casing, alsoshowing details of construction of the carrier adjusting guide.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged top view of the pump suction and filteringcasing.

Fig. 12 is a part sectional side elevation of the pump suction andfiltering casing.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of a fragment of the automaticstop actuating mechamsm.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged front elevation of the 5 automatic stopmechanism.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the modified driving mechanism forautomatically transporting the admitted bottles through the washing andrinsing cycle, twice before delivering them from the machine.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1, 2 and 5' of the drawings, theimproved milk bottle washing machine comprises generally a main soaking,washing and rinsing casing 2 resting upon adjustable supports I0 andforming a housing for an intermittently movable endless series of bottlecarrier pockets 3; and an auxiliary pre-rinsing casing 59 also restingupon supports l0 and associated with the front of the main casing 2, thecasing 59 providing a, support for the bottle supply and dischargemechanisms.

The lower portion of the main casing 2 provides a basin 2'! for hotcaustic soda or similar solution, and each of the side walls of thecasing i '29 in inverted position.

from the draining bottles to the basin rails comprising lower horizontalrails 9 located below the liquid in the basin 2?, upper rails 29,

82, located above the lower rails, an adjustable.

curved rail 18 connecting the rear ends of each set of lower and upperrails, and a fixed curved rail 28 connecting the front ends of each setor lower and upper rails. The rear end rails l8 are interconnected bycross bars I69 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and are swingable about lowerpivots 68 by means of an adjusting screw 65, being guided near the topby means of pins 55 secured to the casing 2 and cooperating with slots61 in plates secured to the rails. A plurality of plates 59 extendlongitudinally of the machine between and beneath the lower rails 9, andbetween and rearwardly of the end rails 18, the plates 69 serving toretain the bottles within the inverted pockets 6. The forward portions82 of the upper rails 29 are inclined for a considerable distance forthe purpose of insuring complete drainage of liquid from the bottlesprior to delivery'thereof from the machine.

The endless series of bottle carrier pockets 3 are formed of wire, eachpocket comprising a wire ring and a plurality of substantially straightwires extending laterally away from the ring and interconnected toprovide a bifurcated bottom. A number of the individual pockets 3 aresecured to each other as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to form transversegroups, the ends of the carrier frames 23 being attached to end links I.The successive links 1 are united by means of pins with which thecarrier rollers 5 are rotatably associated. The carrier rollers 8 engagethe rail sections 9, 29, E8, 28, and the links 1 together with theirpins, form an endless conveyor chain for the pockets 3. The machinepreferably embodies an odd number of groups of pockets 3, there beingsixty nine groups or pockets to each endless series in the washer hereindisclosed.

Located within the casing 2 above the basin 2'! and between the lowerand upper rails 9, 29, is a series of reservoirs or basins l4, l5, l6having headers provided with transverse rows of spray nozzles 39, Si, 82of ordinary construction, located thereabove and adapted to delivercleansing liquid into the bottles as they advance along the horizontalportion of the upper rail A downwardly and rearwardly inclined drainageplate I? is disposed beneath the inclined rail portion 82 and spans thespace between the side walls 'of the casing 2, the plate I! serving toreturn water l6. The nozzles 39, 3! are supplied with suitable washingliquid by means of pumps I30, l3! respectively of well knownconstruction, having their inlets connected with suction casings ll, 63,and removable plates 64 permit inspection of the mechanism within themain casing 2. The suction casings ii, 65 are of like construction asshown in detail in Figs. 11 and 12. The side wall I! of the main casing2 has openings therein which connect the basins l4, l5 with the casingsll, 63 respectively, some distance below the tops of the casings H, 63.A filtering screen 16 divides each of the suction casings ll, 63 into areceiving compartment which is in open communication with thecorresponding basin l4, l5, and a discharge compartment communicatingwith the pump inlet through a pipe 13. The screens 16 extend to theupper ends of the casings ll, 63,- and each of these casings is providedwith a drain l4 and with an overflow l2.

The bottle supply mechanism is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6, andcomprises a transverse group of bifurcated receiving pockets 26 movablefrom upright to horizontal position and vice versa; a tiltable plate 44movable from inclined to horizontal position and vice versa; and, aseries of push arms 46 and a simultaneously operable push bar 42 forejecting the bottles from the pockets 2;] onto the plate 44 and forsliding other bottles from the plate 44 into the adjacent pockets 3. Thereceiving pockets 29 are oscillatable about a horizontal axis by meansof a gear segment 56 which meshes with a gear segment 48. The segment 48is secured to a transverse shaft I48 which is rockable by means of abell crank 41 one arm of which is pivotally associated with a connection46 and the other arm of which is likewise associated with a connection52. The rear end of the connection 46 is pivotally associated with onearm of a bell crank l2 the other arm of which is provided with a rollercooperating with a groove in the cam 5. The tiltable plate'44 isoscillatable from inclined position as shown in Fig, 5 to horizontalposition in alinement with the pockets 20 as shown in Fig. 6 and viceversa, by means of a pair of levers 85 cooperating With links 5| securedto plate carrier arms 49. The plate 44 is preferably fins or platesforming grooves for holding the bottles in proper position. The lowerends of the push arms 49 are adjustably attached to a cross bar I40secured to actuating levers 39, and the upper extremities of the pusharms are movable through the bifurcations of the pockets 26. The crossbar I46 is operatively connected at its opposite ends with the push bar42 by means of connections 4! and arms l4], the latter of which arerigidly attached to the upper ends of the end levers 39.

A curved stop plate 45 having openings 8[ through the lower portionthereof, extends along the path of travel of the rear end of the plate44, and a pro-rinse supply pipe has orifices therein formed to directjets of water through the stop plate openings 8! and into the open endsof the downwardly tilted bottles resting upon the inclined plate 44. Aresiliently supported guide plate 43 located at the upper end of thestop plate 45, is supported from the casing 59 by means of springs 51and hinges 56, the tension of the springs 51 being adjustable by meansof nuts 58, see Fig. '7. The guide plate 43 serves to properly admit thebottles regardless of their size, to the pockets 3, without breakage.

The bottle discharge mechanism is likewise clearly disclosed in Figs. 2,5 and 6, and comprises a series of bottle ejectors 54 movable throughthe pockets 3 while they are horizontally disposed; a series of bottlereceiving and righting members 2|; and a transversely movable finalconveyor IQ of ordinary construction. The ejectors 54 are carried by atransverse rod which is movable along arcuate slots 55 in the sides ofthe main casing 2, by means of levers 3 one of which coacts with aswivel block 38 as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 13 and 14. A bell crank lever 34has one arm provided with a roller cooperating with a groove in the cam25, and has its other arm secured to an end of the bar 35 which extendsfreely through an opening in 'the block 38. Springs 36 embrace the bar35 on opposite sides of the block 38 and engage adjustable nutscooperating with the bar to vary the spring tension. A connection 3'!has one end pivotally associated with the block 38, and has its oppositeend attached to the lever 39 which actuates the push arms 40. The bottlereceiving and righting members 21 are adapted to be swung about ahorizontal pivot, from inclined position as shown in Fig. 5, to uprightposition as shown in Fig. 6, by means of a lever 53. The swinging end ofthe lever 53 is connected to an arm of the bell crank lever 41, by meansof a connection 52.

The mechanism for driving the machine consists of an electric motor 4mounted upon the main casing 2 and controllable by means of a switch 15.The motor 4 is connected through a flexible coupling 6!, to a constantlyrotating counter shaft which is interchangeably connectible by means ofa manually operable jaw clutch 22, with high and slow speed gearing 62of well known construction. The speed change gearing is operativelyconnected to cranks 83 in Figs. 1 and 15, or with cranks 68 as in Fig.5, which cooperate through connections 84 with intermittent grip devices6 comprising hooks 23 formed to grip and to advance the successiverollers 8 along the rails 23. Motion is also transmitted from the motor4 through a driving chain 26 to a transverse counter shaft 33 to whichthe cams 5, 25 are secured. switch '35 which controls the circuit of themotor 3, is also operable by means of automatic stop mechanism such asshown in Fig. 14. This mechanism comprises a latch 78 operable byabnormal displacement of the swivel block 38, a latch plate 1'! mountedupon a pivot 98 supported by the casing 2 and cooperating with the latch18, a spring 79 for swinging the latch plate downwardly about itssupporting pivot 93 when the latch 13 is released, and a rod 16connecting the plate 17 with the lever of the control switch 15.

While the carrier pocket advancing mechanism of Fig. is adapted tointermittently advance the pockets a distance equal to the space betweenthe axes of successive rollers 8, the mechanism of Figs. 1 and isconstructed to intermittently advance the pockets double this distancein order to cause the bottles to be transported twice through themachine before final discharge thereof. The cranks 83 and the gripdevices 5 of this modified mechanism are formed to produce double thethrow of the pawls or hooks 25 in the mechanism of Fig. 5, and suchoperation combined with the odd number of pockets 3 in each series,produces the desired result of causing the rinse spray nozzles 32 tocooperate only with alternate pocket rows just prior to final dischargeof the washed bottles. With the machine properly designed, the cranks 83and devices 6 may readily be substituted for the single throw cranksiii? and devices 6 of the machine disclosed in Fig. 5 at the option ofthe operator.

During normal operation of the machine, the dirty bottles are placed inthe receiving pockets 29 when positioned as shown in Fig. 5, insubstantially upright position while the motor 4 is operatingcontinuously. Periodically, the pockets 20 are swung rearwardly tohorizontal position as shown in Fig. 6 whereupon the push arms at aremoved through the bifurcations of the pockets and eject the dirtybottles therefrom onto the plate l with their open ends pointing towardthe machine. After the bottles have been thus positioned upon the plate44, the

The-

pockets 20 are returned to bottle receiving position as shown in Fig. 5,and the plate 44 is tilted downwardly thereby causing the bottles toslide toward the openings 8| in the stop plate and to receive the fullforce of the pre-rinsingjets discharged from the pipe 80. The plate 44is eventually again returned to horizontal position as shown in Fig. 6,whereupon the push bar 42 becomes effective to slide the pre-rinsedbottles from the rear end of the plate 44 over the guide plate 43 andinto the horizontally disposed group of pockets 3 positioned withrespect to the plate 43 as shown in Figs. -'7 and 8. Simultaneously withthe removal of the pre-rinsed bottles by the bar 42, the push arms 40are ejecting other dirty bottles from the pockets 20. The intermittentgrip device 6 urges the loaded bottles 3, step by step, along thesuccessive rails 28, 9, I8, 29', 82. As the bottles travel through thebasin 27, they are subjected to the soaking a;

and washing action of the hot caustic soda solution. While travellingalong the end rail I8, the bottles are inverted and the caustic sodasolution is delivered therefrom into the basin 21. The bottles ofwashing and rinsing liquid delivered from the nozzles 30, 3!, 32 duringtheir travel along the rails 29 and over the basins I4, I 5, [6. Whenthe double throw cranks 83 of Figs. 1 and 15 are used, the pawls 28 rowsof pockets 3 and with the several spray means, to cause the washingliquid sprays from the nozzles 30, 3! to be delivered against theinteriors of all of the bottles while traversing the upper conveyorstretch, and to cause the rinsing liquid sprays from the nozzles 32 tobe delivered only against alternate pocket rows which have passedthrough the machine two successive times, thus insuring thorough washingand final rinsing. inclined rail sections 82, the bottles are tiltedthus causing the liquid remaining therein to flow toward the lower innerside surfaces thereof and to be quickly and effectively drained from theinverted bottles, the to the basin l6 along the drain plate l1. Thepockets containing the finally washed and rinsed bottles are eventuallyagain brought into horizontal position at the front of the machine,whereupon the ejectors 54 are brought forward through the bottoms of thepockets 3 and push the clean bottles from the pockets upon the members2|, while these members are positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Themembers 2| are subsequently swung forward to upright position therebysetting the clean bottles upon the chain conveyor i9 which delivers themfrom the machine.

If an abnormal condition of operation such as improper insertion of abottle, arises, the automatic stopmechanism of Figs. 13 and 14 becomeseifective to throw the switch and to stop the motor 4, thereby avoidingdamage to the wire pockets and other relatively frail parts of themachine. This stop becomes efiective if the normal movement of theswivel block 38 is obstructed in any manner, thereby causing the latch78 to release the latch plate H and permitting the spring '19 to becomeeffective to throw the switch. For example, if the forward motion of theejector 55 and of the arms l3 which carry the same, is interrupted as byone or more bottles becoming jammed within the carrier pockets 3, andthe bell-crank i i to which the rod 35 is attached, continues to move,the 755 are subsequently subjected to jets z.

cooperate with the When passing over the drainage liquid returning latch18 will automatically be released from the plate to thereby stop themachine until the jammed bottles have been removed.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the bottles areautomatically successively pre-rinsed, washed, finally rinsed, andremoved from the machine at the loading end thereof. By pre-rinsing thedirty bottles, the liquid in the basin 2! may be maintained relativelyclean for a long period of time. The pump suction casings ll, 63 and thestrainers therein, insure a relatively clean supply of liquid for thenozzles 3%), 3i, and the inclined rail sections 82 provide for effectiveremoval of water from the bottles prior to their delivery from themachine. The mechanism of Fig. cooperating with odd numbered series ofpockets 3, permits automatic application of a double wash withoutreducing the capacity of the machine, and the drain plate ll besidesconducting the drainage liquid to the reservoir l6, prevents the fumesfrom the basin 21 from reaching the mo- 7 tor and gearing. The machinewhile being relatively simple and compact, has large capacity and theadjusting mechanism associated with the rear rails l8 enablesmaintenance of proper tension in the carrier chain. The intermittentgrip mechanism eliminates necessity of using noisy sprockets, and thesupply and discharge mechanisms operate to avoid breaking bottles. The.self adjusting feed plate 43 insures proper admission of the bottles tothe pockets 3, irrespective of the size, and the pockets 3 may bereadily formed at low cost, of standard wire.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact details of construction and operation herein shown anddescribed, for various modifications within the scope of'the claims mayoccur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive rows of bottlecarrier pockets formingsuperimposed oppositely moving stretches along which bottles aresuccessively transportable, a casing forming a liquid basin throughwhich the bottles are carried by the lower conveyor stretch, spray meanscooperable with all pocket rows for delivering washing liquid againstthe interior of all bottles while traversing one portion of the upperconveyor stretch, other spray means cooperable during the same conveyorcycle only with alternate pocket rows during periods of rest of theconveyor for delivering rinsing liquid against the interior of thebottles carried by said rows while traversing still another portion ofsaid upper conveyor stretch, and means for actuating said conveyor tosuccessively advance said pockets by steps equal to twice the distancebetween rows so as to subject the bottles to initial soaking, to theaction of said washing spray means, to final soaking, and to the actionof said washing spray means and said rinsing spray means.

2. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive rows of bottle carrier pockets forming "lowerand upper portions along which bottles are successively transportable, acasing forming a liquid basin through which the bottles are carried bythe lower conveyor portion, spray means cooperable with all pocket rowsfor delivering washing liquid against the interior of all bottles whiletraversing one part of the upper conveyor portion, other spray meanscooperable during the same conveyor cycle only with alternate pocketrows during periods of rest for delivering rinsing liquid against theinterior of the bottles carried by said rows while traversing anotherpart of said upper conveyor portion, and means for actuating saidconveyor to successively advance said pockets by steps equal to twicethe distance between rows so as to subject the bottles to initialsoaking, to the action of said washing spray means, to final soaking,and to the action of said washing spray means and said rinsing spraymeans.

3. In combination, a casing having a soakin liquid basin in the lowerportion thereof, means forming a washing liquid receiving basin withinsaid casing directly above said soaking liquid basin, an endless seriesof bottle carrier pockets movable in succession through said soakingliquid basin and over and beyond said washing liquid receiving basin,and a substantially plane drain plate above the portion of said soakingliquid basin beyond said washing liquid receiving basin, all portions ofsaid drain plate being inclined rearwardly and downwardly toward saidwashing liquid receiving basin so as to prevent drainage of liquid intosaid soaking liquid basin.

4. In combination, a casing having a series of rails forming an endlesstrack with upper and lower portions, an endless series of bottle carrierpockets movable along said track, bottle washing means including aliquid reservoir located in said casing within said pocket series, and adrain plate within said series beyond said washing means, said drainplate being inclined downwardly toward said liquid reservoir and saidtrack having a rail section also inclined downwardly toward saidreservoir located above said plate.

5. In combination, a casing having a soaking liquid basin in the lowerportion thereof, means forming a washing liquid receiving basin abovesaid soaking basin, bottle carrier pockets movable in succession throughsaid soaking liquid basin and over and beyond said washing liquidreceiving basin, and a substantially plane drain plate above the portionof said soaking liquid basin beyond said washing liquid receiving basin,all portions of said plate being inclined downwardly in the samedirection toward said washing liquid receiving basin so as to preventescape of washing liquid into said soaking liquid basin.

6. In combination, a casing having rails forming an endless track withupper and lower portions, an endless series of bottle carrier pocketsmovable along said track, bottle washing means including a liquidreservoir disposed within said casing above the lower portion of saidtrack and of said pocket series, and a drain plate disposed between theupper and lower portions of said track and of said pocket seriesadjacent to said washing means, said plate being inclined downwardlytoward said reservoir and said track having a section similarly inclinedtoward said reservoir so as to prevent precipitation of washing liquidupon said lower track and pocket series portions.

'7. In combination, a casing having therein rails forming an endlesstrack with upper and lower portions and also a soaking liquid basin inthe lower portion thereof, an endless series of bottle carrier pocketsmovable through said basin and along said track, .bottle washing meansincluding a liquid reservoir disposed within said casing above saidbasin and between said upper and lower track portions, and a drain platedisposed above said basin beyond said reservoir and between said trackportions, said plate being inclined downwardly toward said reservoir andsaid upper track portion having a section similarly inclined toward saidreservoir so as to prevent precipitation of washing liquid into saidsoaking basin.

8. In combination, a casing having therein an endless track with upperand lower portions and a soaking liquid basin near which the lower trackportion is disposed, bottle washing means including a liquid reservoirdisposed between said upper and lower track portions, an endless seriesof bottle carriers movable along said track through said basin and inproximity to said washing means, and a drain plate extending away fromsaid reservoir between said track portions, said plate being inclineddownwardly toward said reservoir and said upper track portion having asimilarly inclined section above said plate so that all liquiddischarged from bottles being transported by carriers traversing saidtrack section will be returned by said plate to said reservoir.

9. In combination, a casing having therein an endless track with upperand lower portions and a soaking liquid basin along wihch the lowertrack portion extends, bottle washing means including a liquid reservoirand spray means above the reservoir disposed between said upper andlower track portions, an endless series of bottle carriers movable alongsaid track through said basin and in proximity to said spray means, anda drain plate extending away from said reservoir in the direction oftravel of the bottles and between said track portions, said plate beinginclined downwardly toward said reservoir and said upper track portionhaving a similarly inclined section above said plate so that all liquiddischarged from bottles being transported by carriers traversing saidtrack section will be returned by said plate to said reservoir.

10. In combination, a casing having therein a track with upper and lowerportions and a soaking liquid basin adjoining the lower track portion,bottle washing means including a liquid reservoir disposed between saidupper and lower track portions, a series of bottle carriers movablealong said track through said basin and thereafter in proximity to saidWashing means, and a substantially plane drain plate extending beyondsaid reservoir between said track portions, all portions of said platebeing inclined downwardly toward said reservoir and said upper trackportion having a similarly inclined section above said plate so thatliquid discharged from bottles being conveyed over said track sectionwill be returned by said plate to said reservoir.

11. In combination, a casing having therein a track with upper and lowerportions and a soaking liquid basin adjoining the lower track 5 portion,bottle washing means including a liquid reservoir disposed between saidupper and lower track portions, a series of bottle carriers movablealong said track through said basin and in proximity to said washingmeans, and a drain plate extending beyond said reservoir between saidtrack portions, all portions of said plate being inclined downwardlytoward said reservoir and said upper track portion having a similarlybut more steeply inclined section extending along and above said plateso as to prevent precipitation of liquid discharged from bottlestraversing said section into said soaking basin.

12. In combination, an intermediately driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive transverse rows of bottle carrier pocketsforming lower and upper conveying portions along which bottles aresuccessively transportable, means forming a liquid basin through whichthe bottles are transported by the lower conveyor portion, multiple rowsof spray means cooperable with all pocket rows for delivering washingliquid against the interior of the bottles while traversing one part ofthe upper conveyor portion, other spray means cooperable during the sameconveyor cycle only with alternate pocket rows during periods of restfor delivering rinsing liquid against the interior of the bottlescarried by said rows while traversing another part of said upperconveyor portion, and means for actuating said conveyor to successivelyadvance said pockets by steps equal to twice the distance betweensuccessive pocket rows so as to subject the bottles to initial soaking,to the action of said washing spray means, to final soaking, and to theaction of said washing spray means and said rinsing spray means.

13. In combination, an intermittently driven endless conveyor having anodd number of successive transverse rows of bottle carrier pocketsforming lower .and upper conveying portions along which bottles aresuccessively transport.- able, means forming a liquid soaking basinthrough which the bottles are transported by the lower conveyor portion,multiple rows of spray means cooperable with all pocket rows fordelivering washing liquid against the bottles while traversing one partof the upper conveyor portion, other spray means cooperable during thesame conveyor cycle only with alternate pocket rows during periods ofrest of the conveyor for delivering rinsing liquid against the bottlescarried by said pocket rows while traversing another part of said upperconveyor portion, and means for actuating said conveyor to successivelyadvance said pocket rows so as to subject the bottles to initialsoaking, to, the action of said washing spray means, to final soaking,and to the action of said washing spray means and said rinsing spraymeans.

ARCHIE E. LADEWIG. GEORGE F. SOELCH.

